It originally aired as part of the 2003-2004 Kids' WB! Saturday morning lineup. The season began with Address Unown!, which originally aired on September 13, 2003 and ended with Watt's with Wattson, which originally aired on September 4, 2004; it was later shortened to exclude all of the episodes until the start of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire with Get the Show On the Road!.

Blurb

Polishing off the Silver Conference, Ash heads toward his next challenge—the far-off Hoenn region! While he must say goodbye to old friends, he makes the acquaintance of May, a Trainer just starting out on her Pokémon journey. Along with her little brother Max and the ever-reliable Brock, this pack of Pokémon Trainers begin pursuing their dreams—with Ash racking up three Gym Badges, while May changes tack to follow the Contest path of a Pokémon Coordinator.

Releases

Gym battles

Episodes

The television definition is used by Region 4 home video releases and formerly on Pokémon TV. It includes the last 12 episodes of the Johto League arc and the first 40 episodes of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire.

The home video definition is the definition currently used by Region 1 home video releases by VIZ Media, Pokémon TV, DisneyNOW, and digital home video releases. It includes only the first 40 episodes of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire.